🔍

Dumbalk

VIC 3956 • Victoria

455
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
55.46 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralAgriculturalDairy CountryPeacefulGippsland
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About Dumbalk

Dumbalk is a small rural town in the South Gippsland Shire of Victoria, situated in the Tarwin Valley at the heart of one of Australia's most productive dairy farming regions. The locality covers approximately 55 square kilometres at an elevation of around 56 metres, and has a population of around 455 residents. The name Dumbalk is of Aboriginal origin, meaning winter frost and rain — a fitting description for the area's high annual rainfall and lush green pastures that sustain its dairy industry year-round.

Dumbalk is a genuine South Gippsland farming community, with community life centred around the local hall where regular dances, campdrafting events, football, netball, and cricket are held. The nearest town of Foster, approximately 15 kilometres to the south, provides essential services including shops, schools, and medical facilities. The surrounding South Gippsland countryside, with its rolling dairy hills and proximity to Wilsons Promontory National Park, attracts visitors and makes Dumbalk appealing to those who value a deeply rural lifestyle close to spectacular natural scenery.

Dumbalk falls under postcode 3956 and is governed by the South Gippsland Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Monash, while state elections fall under the Gippsland South (Eastern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3956
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
South Gippsland
Federal Electorate
Monash
State Electorate
Gippsland South (Eastern Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-38.60°, 145.96°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
55.46 km²
Population Density
8 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 3956

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3956 for the 2023–24 financial year (2019–20 data not published for this postcode).

Median 2019–20
N/A
Median 2023–24
$43,713
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$56,785

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3956; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • V/Line coach services (limited) — Leongatha / Melbourne Approx. 2.5-3 hrs to Melbourne

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
145 km
By Train
No rail service; V/Line coach from Leongatha (35 km) to Melbourne approx. 2 hrs 30 min
By Car (Peak)
1 hr 50 min - 2 hrs 20 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr 40 min - 2 hrs

🛣️ South Gippsland Highway connects to Melbourne via Dandenong; a car is essential

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Dumbalk is a dispersed rural farming community with minimal local services; a car is essential for all daily errands

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
455
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the South Gippsland Local Government Area, which contains Dumbalk. Rates are per 100,000 residents for the year ending September 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
326.2 / 100k
2yr Up 15.6% 10yr Up 15.8%
Motor vehicle theft
249.4 / 100k
2yr Up 78.8% 10yr Up 202.7%
Non-FV assault
198.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
460.5 / 100k
2yr Up 153.5% 10yr Up 71.9%
View all offence subgroups for South Gippsland →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dumbalk known for? +

Dumbalk is known for its role at the heart of South Gippsland's dairy farming industry, set in the lush Tarwin Valley. The local community hall is central to town life, hosting campdrafting events, dances, football, and cricket.

How far is Dumbalk from Melbourne? +

Dumbalk is approximately 145 kilometres south-east of Melbourne's CBD, typically a 1 hour 50 minute to 2 hour 20 minute drive via the South Gippsland Highway.

Does Dumbalk have public transport? +

Public transport to Dumbalk is very limited. There is no rail service in the area; the nearest V/Line rail access is at Leongatha, approximately 35 kilometres away. Coach services provide occasional connections to Melbourne.

What is the population of Dumbalk? +

According to the 2021 Census, Dumbalk has a population of approximately 455 residents across a 55 square kilometre rural locality in South Gippsland.

Is Dumbalk a good place to live? +

Dumbalk suits those who deeply value rural living, farming communities, and wide open spaces. Its proximity to Wilsons Promontory National Park and the South Gippsland coast adds lifestyle appeal, though residents rely on Foster or Leongatha for most services.

What is the postcode for Dumbalk? +

The postcode for Dumbalk, Victoria is 3956.

Is Dumbalk a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Dumbalk is part of the South Gippsland LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.